Data analyst

As a data analyst, you'll collect, organise and examine data, then explain what it means to technical and non-technical audiences. Your findings can help an organisation improve services, monitor performance, understand customers and make informed decisions.

You'll combine analytical thinking with clear communication. The role is available across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, although entry-level opportunities can be competitive.

Types of data analysis

You could work in:

• business intelligence - producing dashboards and reports that track performance
• data assurance and quality - checking that data is accurate, complete and handled correctly
• finance - analysing costs, risk, revenue and forecasts
• marketing - exploring customer behaviour and campaign performance
• sales - monitoring sales activity, targets and opportunities.

What does a data analyst do?

Your duties will depend on your employer, sector and level of experience. You'll typically need to:

• analyse structured and unstructured datasets to identify trends, patterns and anomalies
• automate repeatable data preparation and reporting tasks
• build dashboards, reports and visualisations using tools such as Power BI or Tableau
• clean, validate and document data so that it is accurate and reliable
• collect data from internal and external sources while following data protection requirements
• define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs)
• gather requirements and agree priorities with stakeholders
• present findings and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• use Excel, SQL and, where required, Python or R to query and analyse data.

Data analyst salary

• Starting salaries are typically £28,000 to £32,000.
• With experience, you can earn in the region of £35,000 to £50,000.
• Experienced and senior data analysts can earn £50,000 to £65,000 or more.

Pay varies by sector, location, specialist skills and level of responsibility. Salaries can be higher in finance, technology and consulting, and some employers offer bonuses, pensions, private healthcare or flexible working. Freelance rates vary according to project scope, contract length and expertise.

Income data informed by the National Careers Service and 2026 UK market salary reports. Figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a data analyst work?

You'll usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, often during standard office hours. You may need to work longer when deadlines, reporting cycles or major projects are approaching.

Depending on the employer, you may work in an office, remotely or on a hybrid basis. Consulting work may involve travel to client sites.

How to become a data analyst

Many employers ask for a degree that includes statistics, research methods or quantitative work. Useful subjects include:

• business information systems
• computer science or computing
• data science
• engineering
• information management
• mathematics
• statistics.

You can enter with another degree if you can demonstrate relevant analytical skills and practical experience. A postgraduate course in data science, statistics or a related subject may help if you want to deepen your knowledge or change career. Search postgraduate courses in data.

Degree entry is not the only route. In England, you could apply for a Level 3 data technician apprenticeship or a Level 4 data analyst apprenticeship, combining paid work with study. Entry routes and qualification levels differ across the UK, so check current opportunities in your nation.

Short courses can help you develop practical skills in spreadsheets, SQL, data visualisation and programming. Research the course content, delivery method and employer recognition before paying. Job adverts can also show which tools employers expect at entry level.

Key skills for a data analyst

You'll need:

• analytical and numerical ability to interpret large datasets and test conclusions
• communication and data storytelling skills to explain findings to different audiences
• data governance awareness, including privacy, security, quality and ethical use
• data visualisation skills using tools such as Power BI or Tableau
• programming or query skills in SQL and, for some roles, Python or R
• spreadsheet and database skills to clean, combine and manage data
• stakeholder and problem-solving skills to turn business questions into useful analysis.

Data analyst work experience

Relevant experience can strengthen your applications. Look for a year in industry, internship, placement or project with a real organisation. You could also volunteer for a charity or community group that needs help organising, analysing or presenting data.

If formal opportunities are limited, build a small portfolio using open datasets. Show how you defined a question, cleaned the data, chose an analytical method and communicated the result. You can also make speculative approaches to organisations for work shadowing or short projects.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs data analysts?

Data analysts work for organisations of all sizes across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Employers include:

• consultancies and professional services firms
• financial services and insurance companies
• government departments and security organisations
• healthcare and pharmaceutical organisations
• higher education institutions
• marketing, media and telecommunications companies
• retail and technology businesses.

Look for job vacancies at:

• CWJobs
• Free-Work
• StatsJobs.

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Harnham also advertise data analyst roles. Networking, careers fairs, LinkedIn and direct applications can help you find opportunities. Larger employers may offer graduate schemes, while smaller organisations may recruit directly into junior analyst roles.

What are the career prospects and professional development opportunities for data analysts?

You'll continue learning throughout your career as tools, regulations and analytical methods change. Employers may provide on-the-job training, mentoring or structured development through a graduate scheme. You can also take short courses or professional certifications in areas such as data modelling, data quality, statistics, SQL, visualisation, cloud platforms and responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Membership of a relevant professional body can give you access to events, networks and continuing professional development (CPD). Options include BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and the Royal Statistical Society. The Royal Statistical Society also offers Data Analyst professional status for those who meet its training and work-based experience requirements. Choose training that matches your role and career goals rather than collecting certificates without practical application.

You may start as a junior data analyst and progress to data analyst, senior data analyst, lead analyst or analytics manager. Advancement usually depends on the quality and impact of your work, your technical breadth, sector knowledge and ability to influence decisions.

With experience, you could specialise in business intelligence, data governance, data visualisation, product analytics or another sector-focused area. You could also move into related roles such as business analyst, data engineer or data scientist, or work independently as a consultant.